At PLUS ME, we believe that everyone has a story that matters. We want to hear yours!
The My Story Matters Scholarship was created to encourage high school students to write and share their own personal narratives. Recipients may use funds without restriction to support their current life goals.
Each scholarship recipient will receive $1,000.
Requirements:
must be a 9th-12th grade student currently enrolled in a school within Los Angeles County
submit a completed application by the deadline (Tuesday, November 25 at 11:59 PM PST)
if selected, commit to share submitted personal narrative with a live audience at the LISTEN event in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 31, 2026.
Scholarship Prompt
Share your story. Use your authentic voice and please include all of the following elements:
The characters and settings that have impacted you
Your struggles and accomplishments
The lessons you have learned
Your plans for the future
Word Count: 750 - 1,500 words
Application is closed and will reopen in Fall 2026.
LISTEN 2026 Scholarship Recipients
Sama Abusalah
Leuzinger High School
Jason Garcia
Central City Value High School
Luis Paredes Rojo
Gahr High School
Candy Pineda
Roosevelt High School
Mariyah Williams
San Pedro High School
Previous My Story Matters Scholarship Recipients
2025
Naima Diop - Hawthorne High School
Axel Duran - Middle College High School
Juan Garcia - Alliance Judy Ivie Burton Technology Academy High School
Jordan James - Da Vinci Design
Kelly Vazquez - Downtown Magnets High School
2024
Dayana Alvarado - South Gate High School
Williams Lopez - Manual Arts Senior High School
Akira Martin - Animo Watts Charter High School
Karen Mendez - Orthopaedic Medical Magnet High School
Alicia Vasquez - West Adams Prep High School
2023
Kimberly Dayana Cux Tizol - Manual Arts High School
Zimako Ezechukwu - Middle College High School
Linsy Martinez - West Adams Preparatory High School
Yosharelli Santillano Granados - Middle College High School
Jocelyn Segura - St. Mary's Academy
2022
Andy Ayala, Lennox Mathematics, Science, & Technology Academy
Mariana Chavez Ontiveros, Torrance High School
Bilan Guan, Abraham Lincoln High School
Yenifer Herrera, West Adams Preparatory High School
Jesus Rodriguez, Huntington Park Institute of Applied Medicine
Zhangyang Wu, Downtown Magnets High School
2021
Nyslai Bolanos, UCLA Community School
Iliana Caballero, Huntington Park Institute of Applied Medicine
Yasly Calvario-Ruiz, Northview High School
Ignacio Perez, South Gate High School
Airin Valdez, Alliance Ted K. Tajima High School
2020
Angie Bahena Ayala, School of Social Justice
Earl Lawrence Bumagat, Downtown Magnets High School
Daniela Gonzalez, School of Visual & Performing Arts
Brandon Isem, Ambassador School of Global Leadership
Kevin Lopez, West Adams Preparatory High School